Experience the Excitement of EYOF 2023 in Maribor

Maribor is a destination of adventures, where the visitors create wonderful memories at the picturesque hills, enjoy the top food and drinks, dance in the rhythm of exotic music and at the same time explore the gems of Slovenia, hidden for the masses. The Old Bridge (Stari Most) one of the symbols of the city of Maribor, connects the old urban centre with the beautiful nature, spread over the hills and stands as a symbol of the Maribor destination brand.

Maribor, the capital of Slovenian Styria (Štajerska) and the city of the world's oldest grapevine, is surrounded by the green forests of Pohorje and picturesque wine-growing hills. The city`s inspiring visitors with its rich history, diverse culture, and the sincere heart of its people. Maribor was awarded 3rd place in the European Best Destinations competition for 2023 and was named Europe's Best Culinary Destination. After 21 days of voting for 21 European destinations, the Styrian capital, with more than 68,600 votes, has beaten tourist icons such as Vienna, London, Copenhagen and Prague, and among the culinary destinations, Rome, Porto and Paris.

The city of the world's oldest grapevine is the Europe`s best culinary destination in 2023! The 450-year-old grapevine, growing in the oldest part of Maribor, symbolises the excellent local offer - including internationally renowned winemakers and Michelin-starred chefs - and invites to unique gastronomic experiences in the Styrian capital. Are you up for rock `n` roll of tastes? Experience the city's rich wine-growing heritage at the Old Vine House, a treasure trove of more than 200 labels of Styria's finest wines, and the nearby digitised Museum of the World's Oldest Vine; or head down to Vinag's cellar, one of the oldest and largest classical wine cellars in Europe, spread over 15,000 m2 of the "Maribor underground". Throughout the year, the city hosts events in honour of its Guinness World Record holder - the spring Protocol Pruning of the Vine, the superb gastronomic event Velvet Dinner among the Vineyards, the lively summer wine evenings, the autumn Old Vine Festival with its ceremonial harvest, ant the largest St. Martin`s Day celebration in Slovenia.

Maribor - European Capital of Culture 2012 - is a fascinating city with deep cultural and historical roots dating back to the Middle Ages. The city was first mentioned as Maribor in a written document on 20 October 1164, while the area was inhabited in prehistoric times. Today, the Styrian capital boasts a world-class cultural offer and a vibrant contemporary arts scene - its main creators are the Slovene National Theatre Maribor, home to world-class artists and cultural achievements, which hosts numerous theatre performances and other performing arts events throughout the year, and the Narodni dom Maribor, the organiser of one of the largest summer cultural festivals in Europe, the Lent Festival. The lively pulse of the city's streets and squares is enriched by the artistic and cultural-historical treasures of its museums, galleries and exhibition centres. Did you know that famous historical figures such as Wilhelm von Tegetthoff, Herman Potočnik - Noordung, Anton Martin Slomšek, Archduke John, Rudolf Maister, Nikola Tesla and Hugo Wolf have lived or left their mark in Maribor?

With its unique location surrounded by the mighty Pohorje forests and sunny wine hills, Maribor is a popular destination for lovers of recreation, sport, and adrenaline. A jump to the green Pohorje Mountains delights hikers and cyclists, as well as lovers of tranquillity and natural beauties. In winter, Pohorje turns into one of Slovenia's biggest ski centres – only a 10-minute city bus drive from the city centre. On wine roads, dotted with wine bars, farmhouses and tourist farms you can spend an active family holiday. Numerous adventure parks also invite to adrenaline experiences: bike park, skate park, wake park, water park, adventure park ... Don't miss the sport and recreational spirit of Maribor, which is also the city of top athletes and sports teams and numerous (international) sporting events! 

Welcome to a green destination! Maribor has one of the most beautiful city parks in Slovenia, surrounded by vineyard hills that stretch all the way to the city centre and offer magnificent views of the picturesque surroundings of the Styrian capital and along the Drava Valley. Did you know that you can still take a traditional raft ride on the Drava or try your hand at gold panning? The green forests of Pohorje, which rise on the other side of the city, hide natural beauties such as streams, waterfalls and peat moors, and even a genuine primeval forest, as well as precious animal species - you might be surprised by the great nightjar, the largest butterfly in Europe! The initial part of the Slovenian Alpine Trail from Maribor to Ankaran, the oldest and most popular mountain trail in Slovenia, also runs through the vastness of the unspoilt Pohorje forests.

Maribor is a tourist pearl undiscovered yet by the masses! Here, you will be pampered by hospitable providers of local, organic cuisine, while visitors from all over the world are delighted by the healthy drinking water, pleasant climate, and the energising effects of nature. Have you heard that Maribor is the sunniest city in Slovenia? We've brought together the best of Maribor for ourselves and our guests in the quality certificate "Our Finest", which recognises the authentic and boutique local tourist offer of experiences, accommodation, catering and other services.